Improvement in carpet-bag frames



sv o ,/k r l] i n u HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH C4 UNITED STATES PATENT O YEEICE.

ALBERT SONNEKALB AND JOHN W. LIEB, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARPET-BAG FRAMES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 57,399, dated August 21, 1866.

lowing is a full and exact description thereof,4

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification.

The nature of our invention consists in the construction of a traveling-bag or carpet-sack frame with two box-shaped jaws, which will close compactly together, one within the other, Fig. 1, in such a rm manner that no fastening but the lock is required to prevent lthejaws from gaping at the side or elbows, or from being pried open so as to admit the hand -a fault quite common in the ordinary traveling-bag-thus affording perfect security to the contents. Each jaw of the frame is made of a solid piece of metal, and they are joined by a substantial rod, a., which acts, also, as the pivot ofthe hinges. These jaws are rrner and stronger than those of ordinary use, which are generally composed of from ten to fourteen pieces.

The frame or jaws must, of course, determine the general shape of the traveling-bag, and one of the most important features of our construction is the symmetrical shape of the elbow or shoulder, b, Figs. l and 3. Thel strips of metal for the jaws, when cutin proper lengths and breadths, must be divided by a line, lengthwise,-l into two sections, c and d, Fig. 2, and be bent at right angles at the line c of intersection. Before, however, the strip, Fig. 2, is thus bent, section d, which will be the side of the jaw, must be notched after the manner and fashion-of the gores f f ff, Fig. 2, so that when the two sections are bent into proper shape, forming the elbow or shoulder b, Fig. 3, they will join in a perfect miter, g, Fig. 3, to be soldered or brazed.

The hinge, Fig. 4, is formed by the lower ends of section d of one of the jaws being turned around the ends of the connecting-rod a, while they are closely overlapped by the ends of section el of the other jaw. The ends of sections o in both jaws are perforated with holes, through which the rod a passes, and the ends of section c of one of the jaws extend sufficient length below the hinge h, Fig. 1, to protect it from contact with the Hoor or any thing on which it may rest in its proper position. From the fact that the jaws, Fig. 1, close so colnpactly together, and the hinge being formed of a part of each jaw, the hinge is not liable to be wrenched or strained by ordinary rough usage. 1

The sack-cloth 7c is fastened to the inside of the jaws by rivets or screws ZZ Z and metal stay-strips m, Fig. 3. This mode of fastening is cheaper and more durable than the usual mode of stitching, and, when put on with screws, the cloth, when worn out, can be removed and the frame recovered. The frame can be polished or can be japanned, as the case may require.

We have been engaged for over ten years in manufacturing traveling-bags in all the ordinary forms known to the trade, and have failed to give that satisfaction the public demand. We have studied carefully their defects, and have for the last eighteen mouths been experiinenting diligently to supply the deficiency, and the result is the invention above described, which, we believe, on a rigid examination, will present useful, durable, practical, and symmetrical qualities not to be found in travelingbags and carpet-sacks in common use.

That which we claim as our invention, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a traveling-bag frame made with box-jaws of equal size and closing into each other, the miter-jointed elbows b b, in combination with the hinges, when constructed and arranged as described. Y

ALBERT SONNEKALB. JOHN XV. LIEB.

Witnesses:

A. WITZLEBER, J. H. HowLAND. 

